Joel Lawrence

Longtime film and TV actor Joel Lawrence, whose career spanned more than five decades, died Sunday in Los Angeles of complications from diabetes. He was 66.

Lawrence began his career entertaining troops during the Korean War as part of the Lawrence Brothers comedy team. He later appeared in film and worked on numerous TV shows including “The Red Skelton Show,” “The Danny Kaye Show” and “The Carol Burnett Show.” He also essayed character roles on such TV series as “Mission Impossible.” He also worked on numerous gameshows.

He is survived by his wife, Gunn, and a son. Services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at Mount Sinai Memorial Park.